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French's International Copyrighted (in England, her Col- 
onies, and the United States) Edition of the 
Works of the Best Authors 



No. 377 



JUST WOMEN 



A COMEDY IK OHE ACT 



BY 
CQLIN CAMPBELL CLEMENTS 



Author of Pirates, The Touchstone, Aunt Betty of Butte, 
A Man and His Wife, etc. 



Copyright, 1919, by Samuel French 



Amateurs may produce "JUST WOMEN'" without pay 
ment of royalty. AH other rights reserved. 



First Produced at San Francisco, Little Theatre. Later by 

Carnegie Repertory Theatre and Eugene 

Woman's Club. 



PRICE 30 CENTS 



New York 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

Publisher 

25 West 45th Street 



London 
SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 
26 Southampton Street 

Strand 



ARE YOU A MASON? 

^arce in 3 acts- By Leo Ditrichstein. 7 males,; '^! ^(T 
^ales. Modern costumes. Plays 2^ hourso 1 interior 

*'Are You a Mason!" is one of those delightful farces tiku 
'^'Charley's Aunt" that are always fresh. "A mother and o 
(laughter," says the critic of the New York Herald, "had hue 
^ands who account for absences from the joint household 0!p 
'Jrequent evenings, falsely pretending to be Masons. The mes 
io not know t,:;ch other's duplicity, and each tells his wife o{ 
!kaving advanced to leadership in his lodge. The older womas 
was BO well pleased with her husband's supposed distinction iff 
the order that she made him promise to put up the name of a 
visiting friend for membership. Further perplexity over the 
principal liar arose when a suitor for his second daughter's hand, 
proved to be a real Mason. , o . To tell the story of the plaj 
vould require volumes, its complications are so numerous. It ic 
« house of cards. One card wrongly placed and the whole thinip 
would collapse. But it stands, an example of remarkable m-- 
genuity. You wonder at the end of the first act how the fuff 
(Ban be kept up on such a slender foundation. But it continues 
And grows to the last curtain." One of the most hilariously^ 
amusing farces ever written, especially suited to schools aii^ 
Masonic LfOdgeSo (Royalty, twenty-five dollars.) Price, 7^ Oents^ 



KEMPY 

!A; delightful comedy in 3 acts. By 3^0 Co Nugenl «n4' 
Elliott Nugento 4 males, 4 females, 1 interior throughout^ 
Clostumes, modern. Plays 2^^ hourso 

No wonder "Kempy" has been such a tremendous hit in ^9-^ 
Vork, Chicago — wherever it has played. It snaps with wit ani; 
liumor of the most delightful kind. It's electric. It's smaH" 
\)iOwn folk perfectly pictured. Full of types of varied sorts, eao& 
one done to a turn and served with zestful sauce. An ideaCi 
entertainment for amusement purposes. The story is about a higk^ 
falutin' daughter who in a fit of pique marries the young plumber<^ 
architect, who come" to fix the water pipes, just because ho 
"'understands" her Aaving read her book and having sworn tc 
marry the authoress. But in that story lies all the humor th»6 
!«ept the audience laughing every second of every aet. Of course 
^here are lots of ramifications, each of which bears its own braal 
•Sit laughter-making potentials. But the plot and the story avu) 
not the main things. There is, for instance, the work of thii 
company. The fun growing out of this family mixup is lively ami 
:5lean. (Royalty, twenty-five dollars.) Pries, 75 OcBtft^ 

iAMUXL FRENCH. 26 West ^5th Street, New T«rk Gifer 



JUST WOMEN 

A COMEDY IH OKE ACT 

BY 
COLIN CAMPBELL CLEMENTS 



rJluthor of Pirates, The Touchstone, Aunt Betty of Butte, 
A Man and His Wife, etc. 



Copyright, 1919, by Samuel French 



Amateurs may produce "JUST WOMEN" without pay 
ment of royalty. All other rights reserved. 

First Produced at San Francisco, Little Theatre. Later by 

Carnegie Repertory Theatre and Eugene 

Woman's Club. 



New York 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

Publisher 

25 West 45th Street 



London 
SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd 
26 Southampton Streei 

Strand 



f^53^ 



Uc-A-'A; 



,1^ 



\^ 



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JUST WOMEN 

CHARACTERS 

Mrs. Warren 

Betty 

Mrs. Pickering 

Mrs. Lawty 

Mrs. Romney 

Lady Bloshire 

Clara 

Scene : The play takes place in the living room 
of the Warren home. It is during the 
early part of the Victorian period and Mrs. 
Warren's drawing-room is filled with atro- 
cious furniture of that period. At rise of 
curtain Mrs. Warren is sitting before an 
open fire at the h. knitting. Clara comes 
in softly and lights the lamp on the table 
near the window at the back and pulls 
down the shades. 

Mrs. Warren. Is that you, Clara? Will you 
please light the lamp — the big one. It is so 
dark here — the fog is very thick this afternoon ; 
although I have lived here for forty years, I de- 
clare I shall never get used to it. It is always 
dark in Northampton! (Clara gets as far as 
the door) Clara, will you pull the shades — one 
never knows who might look in — people are 
getting so bold nowadays — so bold. (Clara 
pulls the shades and starts out again) What 
time is it — the stage should be in at four or 



4 JUST WOMEN 

thereabouts — do you suppose anything could 
have happened — happened in the fog, you 
know. Clara, do have a nice dinner to-night. 
Betty will be so tired, poor child. I am so glad 
the women of Northampton do not know she is 
coming to-day. It is such a long way, such an 
awfully long way to London — it must be all of 
two hundred miles. Oh yes, Clara, don't for- 
get to make the tea rather strong to-night — not 
too strong — just so — and, Clara, we might have 
a little jelly with our meat to-night — current 
jelly — and you may use the best napkins— just 
to-night. We must not use the good ones too 
often as I want to keep them new for the 

Clara. For the what, ma'am? 

Mrs. Warren. Eh? What did you say, 
Clara? 

Clara. (Shouting) What is it you want to 
keep the new napkins for ? 

Mrs. Warren. I want to keep them for the 
— never mind now, Clara, I just want to keep 
them. 

Clara. Yes ma'am. 

Mrs. Warren. Oh dear, I hope Betty will be 
satisfied with Northampton after living a year 
in London. It is so wild ! I have heard, rather 
indirectly, however, that it has become so noisy 
there — one actually must shout to be heard — 
imagine! Dear, dear, I know Betty will so 
enjoy the quiet of Northampton. But she was 
such a vivacious child — so full of life. 

Clara. And the devil ! 

Mrs. Warren. Yes, I am sure she will enjoy 
the quiet of Northampton. 

Clara. Gaud, ma'am, the biddies of North- 



JUST WOMEiN 5 

ampton can make more noise than all them 
trains in London town ! 

Mrs. Warren. Eh? What did you say, 
Clara? 

Clara. (Shouting into the ear trumpet) I 
said, ma'am, that Miss Betty should come back 
a very fine lady. 

Mrs. Warren. Yes indeed, Clara, yes in- 
deed. It was to one of the very best girls' 
schools in London. I was almost afraid to let 
her go alone. I really should have gone to take 
care of her. (Clara rolls her eyes heavenward) 
But her father, dear man, always wanted her 
to be well educated. He was a Warren, you 
know — a typical Warren — and dear Betty is so 
like her father. I hope it was for the best she 
went — it was sort of a memorial to her dear 
father. She always was a bright child, you 
known. A poetical sort of a child — she takes 
that from my side of the family. I shall never 
forget her first poem. I learned the first stanza. 
I think there must have been twenty or thirty 
in all. I sent it to the Times but they did not 
print it — art is becoming so dreadfully demo- 
cratic — the first stanza went: 

The mist is rising from the sea, 
The birds are wide awake, 
I take my pen in hand to write 
These verses for your sake. 

So like Wordsworth, isn't it? And the punctua- 
tion was perfect, so beautiful and innocent. 

Clara. Lud ! How she can talk ! 

Mrs. Warren. Eh? What did you say, 
Clara? 



6 JUST WOMEN 

Clara. (Shouting) I said nothing, ma'am. 

Mrs. Warren. (Raising her ear trumpet) 
I was sure I heard you making some sort of a 
noise, Clara. 

Clara. It — it must have been my asthma, 
ma'am. 

Mrs. Warren. It is the fog, Clara. Have 
you done anything for it — try goose grease and 
flannel — rub it in well — the goose grease, I 
mean. 

Clara. Yes, ma'am. 

Mrs. Warren. Have you heard the stage 
horn? Dear, dear — (Clara starts to go) Oh, 
and Clara, before you go will you hand me 
something to read — I'm so nervous. I must 
read something to soothe my nerves — do you 
suppose anything could have happened? 

Clara. (Taking up a magazine from the 
table) Here is the new Graphic, ma'am. 

Mrs. Warren. No — no — I'm really afraid 
to read these magazines and newspapers — they 
are so full of accidents and murders and rob- 
beries — and weddings. No, Clara, I'll read my 
Bible — it is such a comfort — such a comfort. 
(Clara hands her the Bible from the table and 
starts out) Book of Job — Book of Job. (The 
knocker is heard) There, that must be Betty 
— and we did not hear the stage horn' I ( Clara 
goes out. Mrs. Warren fumbles with her 
Bible) 

Clara. (From the door) It's the new min- 
ister's wife, ma'am, Mrs. Pickering. 

Mrs. Warren. Eh? 

Clara. (Shouting in the trumpet) Mrs. 
Pickering. 

Mrs. Warren, Oh yes, yes, Mrs. Pickering 



JUST WOMEN 7 

— have her come in, Clara. And Clara — here, 
put my Bible on the table in a conspicuous place 
— but not too conspicuous — just so. 

(Clara thumps down the Bible on the table 
and goes out.) 

Mrs. Pickering. (A demure, emaciated 
little tuoman enters from the door at the back. 
She bows) Mrs. Warren, good afternoon. 

Mrs. Warren. Come up to the fire, Mrs. 
Pickering. It is so damp outside. I wonder 
that more of us are not sick abed. 

Mrs. Pickering. (Rolling her eyes heaven- 
ivard) God is good to his lambs. 

Mrs. Warren. Eh? Your lower limbs? 
Yes, now that you speak of it, that is where I 
suffer most. 

Mrs. Pickering. You are so confidential. 

Mrs. Warren. One should really wear a 
flannel underskirt these days. 

Mrs. Pickering. Yes, speaking of flannels, 
that is just what I tell my husband. We have 
just finished packing another big box of heavy 
underwear and Bibles for the starving South 
Sea Islanders. They are so illiterate ! 

Mrs. Warren. Literature? No, I only read 
my Bible. 

Mrs. Pickering. {Dismissing the misunder- 
standing tvith a ivave of her hand) I heard 
from my Mary that you were expecting your 
daughter home from London on the stage from 
Bedford — you will excuse my late call — I am 
so anxious to meet your Betty, so anxious. 

Mrs. Warren. Will you speak a little 
louder, Mrs. Pickering? I am sure you must 



8 JUST WOMEN 

be saying something, though I can't hear a 
word — not too loud — ^just so. 

Mrs. Pickering. {Shouting into the trum- 
pet) I say I am so anxious to meet your Betty. 

Mrs. Warren. Yes, we are expecting the 
dear child home to-day. I wonder if anything 
could have happened — it's such a long way 
from London to Northampton — such a very 
long way. 

Mrs. Pickering. But you know there is a 
railroad as far as Bedford now. 

Mrs. Warren. A what, Mrs. Pickering? 

Mrs. Pickering. A railroad. 

Mrs. Warren. (With horror and indigna- 
tion) You really don't mean a steam rail? 

Mrs. Pickering. Yes, indeed. 

Mrs. Warren. Oh, but I know Betty would 
be far too sensible to ride on a steam railroad 
— it is just like taking one's life into one's own 
hands. What can people be thinking of to ride 
upon such things? Really I'm so worried — 
and the coach should be here — ^the world is 
coming to be so unreliable. (The knocker is 
heard) Oh, can that be Betty? No, she would 
surely come right in. One need not stand on 
ceremony in one's own home — that is, not too 
much, just a certain amount, you know, Mrs. 
Pickering, is good for the training of any well- 
bred child, not too moch, you understand — or 
too little — ^just so. 

Clara. (Entering and shouting in the trum^ 
pet) Mrs. Lawty, ma'am. 

Mrs. Warren. Oh, Mrs. Lawty; have her 
come right in, Clara — and Clara, will you bring 
my black shawl ? It is folded away in the chest 
— and Clara, be careful with it. (Clara goes 



JUST WOMEN 9 

out) It is a beautiful shawl. Mr. Warren 
brought it all the way from India — before we 
were married. I want Betty to have it when 
she 

Mrs. Lawty. (Entering quietly and bow- 
ing) Mrs. Warren, Mrs. Pickering. (Going to 
Mrs. Warren) I have brought you over a bit 
of mint jelly. 

Mrs. Warren. Thank you, Mrs. Lawty, you 
are so kind. Oh, it's jelly. Do sit down, Mrs. 
Lawty. 

Mrs. Lawty. My Nellie had it from Mrs. 
Pickering's Mary who got it from your Clara 
that your dear daughter Betty is coming home 
from London to-day. I am so anxious to see 
the dear child. 

Mrs. Warren. Chill — no, you don't really 
mean it, Mrs. Lawty? 

Mrs. Lawty. (Shouting) I say my Nellie 
had it from Mrs. Pickering's Mary who got it 
from your Clara that dear Betty is coming 
home to-day — the dear child. 

Mrs. Warren. Yes, she is coming to-day. 
Did you hear anything else — concerning Betty, 
I mean, of course ? 

Mrs. Lawty. (With deep interest) Oh, is 
there n;.ore ? 

Mrs. Warren. You will pardon me but it's 
a secret, so to speak, for the present. 

Mrs. Lawty. Yes, yes. But, my dear Mrs. 
Warren, there should be no secrets between 
friends. 

Mrs. Warren. But you know it is really 
Betty's secret — not mine. 

Mrs. Lawty. (To Mrs. Pickering) Secrets 
are so disconcerting! (To Mrs. Warren) But 



10 JUST WOMEN 

you know I am so interested in Betty and every- 
thing that concerns her, so interested. 

Mrs. Warren. Yes, yes. 

Mrs. Lawty. (To Mrs. Pickering) Strange 
tales concerning Betty have come down from 
London. She is so ambitious — socially, I mean. 
Oh dear, I hope she has done nothing indiscreet. 

Mrs. Warren. Things seem to happen so 
rapidly I can hardly realize Betty is a grown 
woman. 

Mrs. Lawty. I wonder if the past year has 
changed her much. (Shouting) Changed her 
much. 

Mrs. Warren. Yes, indeed, Mrs. Lawty, yes, 
indeed — everything has changed — the world 
is positively going round so fast that it makes 
me giddy. (Confidentially) I hear that North- 
ampton is actually to have lights in the street ! 

Mrs. Lawty. Is it possible? Indeed there 
will soon be no privacy in the world. 

Mrs. Pickering. Terrible! 

Mrs. Lawty. I was reading in the Times 
that in London they are using trams without 
horses now. 

Mrs. Warren. Eh? 

Mrs. Lawty. I say in London they have 
trams without horses. 

Mrs. Warren. Oh, dear, I wonder if any- 
thing could have happened. 

Mrs. Pickering. I should never risk my 
life on one! It is a contrivance of the devil — 
the world is becoming so wicked! 

Mrs. Warren. Trams without horses — 
steam railroads! It was wicked of me to let 
Betty go without my care — I should have gone 
to look after her, but of course 



JUST WOMEN 11 

Mrs. Lawty. Little good that would have 
done. (Shouting) Why right here in North- 
ampton they are covering our main street with 
a new sort of covering — ^just like glass. I de- 
clare that I, for one, shall never walk on it. 

Mrs. Pickering. Nor I. When I shop I 
shall go the back way. Modern improvements 
indeed ! 

Mrs. Lawty. Modern exterminators! 

Mrs. Warren. Is that the knocker? I won- 
der who that can be. Clara, Clara ! 

Clara. (Entering from the back) It's Mrs. 
Romney, ma'am. 

Mrs. Warren. Have her come right in, 
Clara. This is a surprise. We did not think 
that the ladies of Northampton knew of Betty's 
return to-day. 

Mrs. Romney. (Entering with gusto) How 
do you do, Mrs. Warren. Good afternoon, Mrs. 
Pickering and Mrs. Lawty. (To Mrs. Warren) 
I heard that Betty was to return to-day — that 
is I had a rather unauthentic report of it. You 
see, I got it from my Sadie who had it from 
Mrs. Lawty's Nellie who got it from Mrs. Pick- 
ering's Mary who had it from Clara that Betty 
would be home on to-day's coach. I am so anxi- 
ous to see the dear child and to hear the news 
of London.^ Things really happen there, you 
know. Northampton is so annoying and boring 
at times — nothing ever happens here — it is 
only reported to have happened. 

Mrs. Lawty. Servants are such gossips! 

Mrs. Romney. But so unreliable! They 
always seem to miss the essential thing- — the 
thing of particular interest, so to speak. 



12 JUST WOMEN 

Mrs. Lawty. Of particular interest? 

Mrs. Romney. Of course. It is not Betty's' 
return that interests me so much as why she is 
returning two months earlier than she expected. 

Mrs. Lawty. There seems to be some 
secrecy in the whole affair. 

Mrs. Romney. Secrecy? 

Mrs. Warren. Do sit down Mrs. Romney — 
you flutter about so. 

Mrs. Romney. Flutter! Indeed! 

Mrs. Warren. Do sit down, Mrs. Romney. 

Mrs. Romney. (Sitting) Really I can't stay 
very long. / have just stopped in for a few mo- 
ments after having tea with Lady Bloshire, a 
most interesting person. 

Mrs. Pickering. And so refined. 

Mrs. Romney. Her Ladyship is so interest- 
ing and knows so much of London life, you 
know. Her son is returning from London in a 
few days — and Lady Bloshire is so happy. 

Mrs. Pickering. Indeed she must be a true 
mother. She should be very happy to think 
that her son would come back to her from 
wicked London. 

Mrs. Romney. Wicked, indeed, Mrs. Pick- 
ering ! It is no such thing — London is glorious ! 
His Lordship does not intend to stay here long, 
simply coming down on business, I think her 
Ladyship said — one is so busy when one is a 
Lord. He goes into the House next winter, you 
know. 

Mrs. Lawty. Fancy one caring for London 
when one can have the quiet and refinement of 
Northampton. 

Mrs. Romney. I was raised in London — 
Northampton — bah! (The ladies, except Mrs. 



JUST WOMEN 13 

, Warren, who has fallen asleep, spring to their 
feet) Pardon me, ladies. Pray be seated. My 
temper does overcome me at times. 

Mrs. Pickering. Indeed ! Temper is an at- 
tribute of the devil ! You should do all in your 
power to overcome it. 

Mrs. Lawty. If you will pardon me, Mrs. 
Romney, I should say that you show your Lon- 
don raising most emphatically at times. 

Mrs. Romney. Pray let us continue our 
most interesting conversation. By the by, have 
you met the new young doctor? Dr. Twing? A 
most learned young man — ^just down from 
Oxford. 

Mrs. Lawty. Indeed — and from London — 
young men are not what they were when I was 
a girl. 

Mrs. Romney. I am sure Betty and he 
would be such good friends. It might be a 
match, you know — and that would keep him in 
Northampton perhaps. We should really do all 
we can to keep a few interesting people in our 
town. 

Mrs. Pickering. I hope he will prove a 
steady young man. If he is there will be very 
little time for his playing around with the 
belles of Northampton — what with new pave- 
ments and street lamps, horseless trams and 
steam coaches, not to mention births and deaths, 
there will be enough to keep many doctors busy. 

Mrs. Lawty. (Whispering) Betty was far 
too vivacious for any young gentleman before 
she left for London. There is nothing more dis- 
couraging to a man than a vivacious wife. I do 
hope for Mrs. Warren's sake that Betty has set- 
tled down, but from the things I have heard I 
fear she hasn^t. 



14 JUST WOMEN 

Mrs. Romney. Have you heard anything— 
anything interesting? 

Mrs. Lawty. Nothing directly. But I un- 
derstand Betty is very popular with the young 
gentlemen of London and 

Mrs. Romney. Indeed! 

Mrs. Lawty. And I understand the gentle- 
men of London are, er — er, well, very different 
from the young gentlemen of Northampton. 

Mrs. Romney. (A little bitterly) Oh, you 
know it is so easy to be a saint — a Northamp- 
ton saint — I really think it takes a rather clever 
person to be devilish ! 

Mrs. Pickering. (Protestingly) Mrs. 
Romney ! 

Clara. {Entering from the door at the L.) 
Here, ma'am, is your shawl. 

Mrs. Warren. (Awakening) Eh? What? 
Oh, yes, my shawl — put it over my shoulders, 
Clara — it will keep me warm — but not too 
warm — just so. Pardon me, ladies, I just shut 
my eyes to keep out the light — your conversa- 
tion was so interesting and so refined. {The 
coach horn sounds. CLARA runs to the window 
and looks out) Clara come away from the win- 
dow! 

Clara. {Shouting in the trumpet) IVs the 
coach, ma'am, it's the coach! 

Mrs. Warren. Is it really, Clara? Oh, 
ladies, I am so happy to know that nothing has 
happened. Clara, will you put a little coal on 
the fire — just poke it up a bit, you know — ^that 
is, not too much, but just so, Clara. Clara, light 
the candles in the hall — not all of them, Clara — 
just two. 

(Clara goes out) 



JUST WOMEN 15 

Mrs. Romney. I am so anxious to hear the 
gossip of dear old London. 

Mrs. Lawty. How familiar ! 

Mrs. Warren. (Rising and going to the 
windotv) Ladies, you really must pardon me — 
I shall only look once, just a peep — I am so wor- 
ried, you know, and so anxious — yes, there she 
is, ladies — ladies, I can hardly contain myself 
— the dear child — oh, she looks so healthy — just 
like her father, dear man, so like her father. 
(She goes to her chair by the fire and assumes 
a queenly air of expectancy. There is a loud, 
clear laugh from the hall.) 

Betty. (From the hall) Dear, dear Clara 
—a lot of ladies, where? Oh, but you mustn't 
say that, Clara — a glorious time, yes, it was 
ripping. Is mother in here, Clara? Yes, yes, 
yes. 

(The ladies look at each other dumbfounded.) 

Mrs. Lawty. I am afraid she has not 
changed for the better. (This in a whisper. 
Betty stands framed in the doorway. She is 
dressed in an enormous hoop skirt, lace mitts 
and a high poke hat. She is followed by Clara 
who carries band boxes and portmanteaux) 

Betty. Mother! Ladies! (She runs to her 
mother) Dear, dear, dear old mumsey darling. 

Mrs. Warren. Betty, dear, you are home 
again — can it really be you, dear, dear child— 
you look so fresh and happy — and healthy. 

Mrs. Lawty. Overly healthy ! 

Mrs. Warren. So fresh and healthy — but 
Betty, dear, what have you on your face? 

Betty. Nothing, mother dear — does it 
show? 



16 JUST WOMEN 

Mrs. Pickering. Powder! 

Mrs. Warren. Betty dear, you see the 
ladies of Northampton are here to see you. 

Mrs. Lawty. Rather to see you, Mrs. War- 
ren. 

Mrs. Warren. Mrs. Pickering, my daugh- 
ter Betty — Mrs. Pickering. 

Mrs. Pickering. How do you do. Miss 
Betty. 

Betty. {Curtsying) Mrs. Pickering — Mrs. 
Romney, Mrs. Lawty 



Mrs. Romney, Mrs. Lawty 

Mrs. Romney. Betty, dear, what is the news 
of London? 

Betty, Oh, there is so much to tell of Lon- 
don, you know. 

Mrs. Romney. Yes, yes, of course. London 
is much larger than Northampton. {With a 
withering look at Mrs. Lawty) Though some 
people don't realize it. 

Betty. And so many lovely people live in 
London. 

Mrs. Romney. {With a withering look at 
Mrs. Pickering who squirms) So many inter- 
esting people. 

Mrs. Lawty. {Coldly) But so few — er — 
wholly refined people. 

Mrs. Romney. Indeed! 

Mrs. Lawty. Betty dear, we have heard so 
many tales of you and 

Betty. {With a little catch of her hreath) 
And whom ? 

Mrs. Lawty. And London. 

Betty. {Glancing at her mother) Oh! 

Mrs. Romney. Did you see the queen? 

Betty. Indeed, Mrs. Romney, many times. 
She is a beautiful young girl. 



JUST WOMEN 17 

Mrs. Lawty. How slightingly you talk of 
royalty ! 

Mrs. Pickering. London is becoming so 
dreadfully democratic. 

Mrs. Warren. Betty dear, I am so glad to 
have you home again — so happy — I have been 
so worried — I hope you will like Northampton 
better now. 

Betty. {Looking at the women and then go- 
ing close to her mother) No, mumsey, I am 
sure I never shall. 

Mrs. Warren. You must be tired, dear. 

Betty. No, dear, not very. You see I took 
the steam rail as far as Bedford — Oh, mumsey, 
it was ripping ! You surely must go to London 
soon. We went all of fifteen miles in an hour 
sometimes ! 

Mrs. Warren. Betty, how could you? 

Betty. But, mumsey, it was glorious — just 
like flying — and mumsey, we ate on the train. 
Oh, it was such fun! 

Mrs. Lawty. Fancy having one's dinner 
pulled on ahead of one, like a dog chasing his 
tail! 

Mrs. Romney. Next we will be having beds 
on these trains. 

Mrs. Pickering. Never! 

Mrs. Lawty. Can you imagine one undoing 
one's bodice in such a public place? 

Mrs. Pickering. For shame — how can you 
think of such terrible things and speak of them 
aloud before this young lady — and before all 
of us? 

Mrs. Romney. But my dear Mrs. Picker- 
ing, can't you see that we are in a new era and 
that the past is irrevocable? 



18 JUST WOMEN 

Mrs. Lawty. Not in Northampton, thank 
heaven. Here there are a few sane people. 

Mrs. Warren. Betty, did you have Clara 
take your portmanteau to your room? 

Betty. Yes, mumsey dear, three of them. 

Mrs. Warren. Betty ! Whatever possessed 
you — what can you ever do with three of them. 

Betty. They are full of clothes, mumsey; 
dresses and bonnettes — beautiful ones — pink 
and blue and lavender. 

Mrs. Pickering. Dress is a tool of the devil. 
Now in the South Sea Islands they 

Mrs. Warren. But what can you ever dc 
with them all — wherever can you wear so many 
dresses? Indeed I do not know how it is in 
London, but in Northampton Sunday still comes 
but once a week — now when I was your age I 
had a nice, a very nice one for Sundays, a 
white one for christenings and a black one for 
Northampton funerals. But I suppose when 
one is about to be 

Betty. {Covering her mother's mouth with 
her hand — lovingly shaking her finger at Mrs. 
Warren) Sh — sh — mumsey dear, we must 
have more color. It will not be so dark and 
dreary in Northampton soon. Lord Bloshire 
has seen to it that we have street lights, just 
like they have in London. Oh, he is going to 
bring so many improvements to Northampton 
— perhaps next year the steam rail will be ex- 
tended from Bedford. 

Mrs. Lawty. You don't mean, child, that 
we may have one of those horrid noisy things 
coming into Northampton? 

Betty. Lord Bloshire is going to do every- 
thing to make Northampton a modern town. 



JUST WOMEN 19 

Mrs. Pickering. Modern indeed! 

Mrs. Lawty. (Siueetly) But perhaps his 
Lordship knows best. 

Mrs. Romney. Yes, he probably knows what 
we need more than we do ourselves. He has 
spent so much of his life in London. 

Mrs. Lawty. But think of the people of 
questionable character such a public affair 
might bring to Northampton. One will not be 
able to venture beyond one's own garden. 

Betty. But really, ladies, such things are 
for the best. Don't you really want to see 
Northampton a modern town ? 

Mrs. Pickering. Modern, my dear, but not 
too modern. Now in the South Sea Islands, 
you know, the cannibals 

Mrs. Romney. Well, I sincerely hope some- 
thing happens to make Northampton modern 
— and interesting. 

Mrs. Lawty. Mrs. Romney, it is interest- 
ing. Besides being a beautiful town it is the 
site of the Bloshires, one of England's oldest 
families. A most important asset I should say. 
(With sarcasm) But then, of course, when one 
has been raised in London 

Mrs. Romney. Betty dear, you seem to be 
very familiar with the affairs of his Lordship. 
Is it possible that you could have seen him in 
London ? 

Betty. Yes, Mrs. Romney. 

Mrs. Romney. But surely you had no occa- 
sion to talk to him, Betty? 

Betty. Yes, Mrs. Romney. 

Mrs. Lawty. Girls are becoming so bold 
nowadays. Now when I was a girl I never 

Mrs. Romney. How interesting, and what 



20 JUST WOMEN 

did he say, Miss Betty, the time you talked to 
him? 

Betty. I just don't remember all he said, 
Mrs. Romney, but of course he was very anxi- 
ous to hear about Northampton again. His 
father and mine were great friends, you know. 

Mrs. Lawty. I suppose even a Lord must 
condescend to speak to the people from his 
home place. I think it is rather impertinent 
that 

Mrs. Romney. And did he speak of the 
people, the best people, of course, of Northamp- 
ton, Betty? 

Betty. I remember very distinctly that he 
asked 

Ladies. {On the very edges of their chairs) 
Yes, yes, yes 

Betty. He asked me if all the fogies of 
Northampton were still alive. 

Mrs. Lawty. Fogies — now I wonder what 
he could have meant by that — I hope it is com- 
plimentary. 

Mrs. Pickering. It sounds doubtful. 

Mrs. Romney. I was at tea with her Lady- 
ship this afternoon. His Lordship is coming 
down from London soon. 

Betty. Yes, I know. 

Mrs. Romney. Oh, then you must have seen 
the Times — they always publish such interest- 
ing things about the nobility. 

Betty. I saw his Lordship before I left 
London. 

Mrs. Romney. Oh, then perhaps 

Mrs. Warren. Betty dear, Fm sure the 
ladies will pardon you if you care to go to your 
room, though I'm sure their conversation is 



JUST WOMEN 2T 

most interesting. You must be very tired. 
Clara has put a little fire in the grate, dear. 
(She calls) Clara, Clara! 

Clara. {Entering from the L.) Yes, ma'am. 

Mrs. Warren. Will you please see that Miss 
Betty's room is cozy — and, Clara, don't forget 
the hot water. 

Clara. I won't, ma'am. 

Mrs. Warren. Ladies, you will excuse 
Betty? 

{They all nod.) 

Betty. If you please, ladies, I should so like 
to dress. 

Mrs. Romney. Yes, indeed, Betty, I am 
sorry you do not know more of London gossip. 
I would ask you over to tea but I am really so 
busy these days. 

Mrs. Pickering. I hope I shall see you at 
church. You must forgive me if I do not call 
again soon, there is so much to do in our foreign 
mission work. 

Mrs. Lawty. Good day. Miss Betty. I trust 
you will feel at home in Northampton. I shall 
no doubt see you again before the summer is 
over — Northampton is not a large place. 

Betty. You are all so kind. {She turns at 
the door and throws her mother a kiss, bows to 
the ladies) Au revoir, ladies. 

Mrs. Warren. Dear child, so delicate. 

Mrs. Lawty. Ugh, the impertinent little 
creature — putting on her fine airs. 

Mrs. Romney. Did you hear her talk of his 
Lordship, just as if she were real well acquaint- 
ed with him. I suppose she will be telling us 
next that she had an audience with the queen. 

Mrs. Pickering. Of course, I do not know 



22 JUST WOMEN 

the child very well, but I do believe that it is 
not best to send girls away from home for their 
schooling — they become so bold and so vain. 
Did you hear her telling her mother about her 
dresses, as if clothes were the only thing in the 
world. 

Mrs. Lawty. I feel so sorry for her mother, 
so quiet and unassuming. I am afraid Betty 
will drive her to her grave before her time. 
Well, I hope she will not try her airs before 
Lady Bloshire, because — did Lady Bloshire, by 
any chance, mention her while you were there 
this afternoon? 

Mrs. Romney. Let me see — come to think 
of it, I believe she did say something, but I am 
sure it was something trivial. 

Mrs. Lawty. Of course. 

Mrs. Romney. I was so interested to hear 
about his Lordship that I paid little attention 
to anything else. It seems he is very much in 
love — her Ladyship did not mention who with 
— however, I daresay some very fine London 
lady. 

Mrs. Warren. Do you not think dear Betty 
is a little lady? Her father, dear man, would 
have been so proud of her I'm sure. 

Mrs. Pickering. (Shouting) I hope it is 
for the best she went away. 

Mrs. Lawty. (Shouting) Indeed I hope 
she has learned something from her books. 

Mrs. Romney. (Shouting) She knows so 
little about London society I trust she has been 
diligent in her studies. Really I must be go- 
ing, Mrs. Warren. I suppose you do not go out 
very often now, but if you do happen to be out 
come in and see me sometime. 



JUST WOMEN 23 

Mrs. Warren. Yes, yes, but I get out very 
little these days — and I will have so much to 
say to dear Betty. I am sure Betty will be 
over, however. 

Mrs. Romney. (Shouting) I shall be glad 
to have you come over, Mrs. Warren. I am 
having a tea for her Ladyship next week so you 
will pardon me, I am sure, if I am too busy to 
receive callers. 

Mrs. Pickering. (Shouting) I must be go- 
ing, Mrs. Warren, I really must. I hope Betty 
will come to church every Sunday. 

Mrs. Lawty. (Shouting) Good day, Mrs. 
Warren, good day. This little chat with you 
this afternoon has been most entertaining. I 
hope I shall see Betty again some time, but in- 
deed I expect to be so busy the next few weeks 
that I shall be unable to do any entertaining. 

(The knocker is heard — the women look at each 
other in surprise.) 

Mrs. Warren. Yes, yes, ladies, do come in 
often now that 

Clara. (Entering from the back. She looks 
at the women and then at Mrs. Warren as if 
she would rather not speak) It's Lady Bloshire, 
ma'am — her Ladyship. 

Mrs. Warren. Oh, Lady Bloshire. Oh, have 
her come right in, Clara. Oh, and Clara, please 
call Betty, I know her Ladyship will be so glad 
to see the dear child. (The ladies resume their 
seats) And Clara, tell her to dress her hair — 
not too much — just so — and light all the candles 
in the hall — Clara, you may serve tea — ^tea in 
the Chelsea china. 



24 JUST WOMEN 

(Clara holds her head high as she passes the 
ladies.) 

The Ladies. Oh, her Ladyship. Oh — ah — 
oh — I shall stay a little longer — yes, really— no 
— is it possible? — etc. 

Lady Bloshire. {Bowing from doorway) 
Mrs. Warren — Ladies of Northampton. (She 
talks with an air of superiority, yet she is a 
motherly woman) 

All. (Rising and bowing) Your Ladyship. 

Mrs. Warren. Pray be seated, Lady Blo- 
shire. 

Lady Bloshire. Thank you, Mrs. Warren. 
It is indeed a pleasure to see you so well. 

Mrs. Warren. Yes, yes — I am glad to see 
you well, Lady Bloshire — I am feeling much 
better — happier now that Betty is home again. 

Lady Bloshire. And you should, Mrs. War- 
ren, she is such a little fairy. I shall be glad 
to see her again, we had such a wonderful time 
when I was in London. The dear child enjoyed 
everything so much it was really a joy to see 
her so happy. I am so glad she has returned to 
Northampton, but I am afraid we shall be 
unable to keep her with us long, my son is so 
determined that they live in London. 

(The ladies look at each other in amazement.) 

Mrs. Warren. So Betty told me in her let- 
ters, but I am really afraid to have her go so 
far away from home. Indeed I shall not think 
of it until the time comes. 

Lady Bloshire. But when one is married. 



JUST WOMEN 25 

Mrs. Warren However, I hope we shall 

see them often. 

Mrs. Warren. Yes indeed, yes indeed. 

Mrs. Romney. Did your Ladyship say 
something of marriage? 

Lady Bloshire. Did I really? There now, 
how stupid of me — and nothing was to be said 
for the present — please forget 

Betty. (Entering and running to Lady 
Bloshire) Lady Bloshire ! 

Lady Bloshire. Dear, dear child. (She 
kisses her) 

Mrs. Lawty. (Shouting to Lady Bloshire) 
We are so sure the last year — I beg your par- 
don — (She drops her voice) has been so bene- 
ficial to dear Betty. 

Mrs. Pickering. Indeed Northampton is 
proud of her. 

Mrs. Romney. She is so cultured and re- 
fined. 

Betty. Please, please, ladies. You are all 
too kind. 

Lady Bloshire. Dear child, it is good to 
have you with us again. 

Betty. And to be with you. 

Mrs. Romney. Betty dear, I do so want you 
to come to my tea. 

Mrs. Lawty. I hope we can arrange soon to 
have a little party for 

Mrs. Pickering. The ladies of our auxiliary 
will be so proud to have you join them. 

Betty. Thank you, ladies, thank you, but I 
shall have so much to do, you know, you will ex- 
cuse me I am sure if 

Clara. (Entering ivith the tea things) The 
tea, ma'am. 



26 JUST WOMEN 

Mrs. Warren. Oh, yes — please serve it, 
Clara. Dear, dear, you all look so happy — I 
really wish I could hear better — I must miss so 
much that is interesting — dear, dear 

Mrs. Romney. I hear that we are really 
going to have street lights, your Ladyship. 

Mrs. Pickering. Indeed it will be a great 
blessing to have some light in Northampton. 

Mrs. Lawty. And perhaps a steam rail. 

Mrs. Romney. That will bring us so much 
closer to London, so much closer to civilization. 

{The ladies with cups in their hands gather 
around Lady Bloshire and Betty; there 
is a continual buzz of Oh's and Ah's as the 
curtain descends,) 



NOT SO LONG AGO 

Comedy in a Prologue, 3 acts, and Epilogue. By Arthur 
Riehman. 5 males, 7 females. 2 interiors, 1 exterior. 
Costumes, 1876. Plays a full evening. 

Arthur Riehman has constructed his play around the Cinderella 
legend. The playwright has shown great wisdom in his choice 
of material, for he has cleverly crossed the Cinderella theme 
Avith a strain of Romeo and Juliet. Mr. Riehman places his 
young lovers in the picturesque New York of forty years ago. 
This time Cinderella is a seamstress in the home of a social 
climber, who may have been the first of her kind, though we 
doubt it. She is interested sentimentally in the son of this house. 
Her father, learning of her infatuation for the young man without 
learning also that it is imaginary on the young girl's part, starts 
out to discover his intentions. He is a poor inventor. The 
mother of the youth, ambitious chiefly for her children, shud- 
ders at the thought of marriage for her son with a sewing-girl. 
But the Prince contrives to put the slipper on the right foot, and 
the end is happiness. The play is quaint and agreeable and the 
three acts are rich in the charm of love and youth. (Royalty, 
twenty-five dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 



THE LOTTERY MAN 

Comedy in 3 acts, by Eida Johnson Young. 4 males, 
5 females. 3 easy interiors. Costumes, modern. Plays 
£1/4 hours. 

In "The Lottery Man" Rida Johnson Young has seized upon 
a custom of some newspapers to increase their circulation by 
clever schemes. Mrs. Young has made the central figure in her 
famous comedy a newspaper reporter, Jack Wright. "Wright owes 
his employer money, and he agrees to turn in one of the most 
sensational scoops the paper has ever known. His idea is to 
conduct a lottery, with himself as the prize. The lottery is an- 
nounced. Thousands of old maids buy coupons. Meantime Wright 
■falls in love with a charming girl. Naturally he fears that he 
may be won by someone else and starts to get as many tickets 
as his limited means will permit. Finally the last day is an- 
nounced. The winning number is 132"3, and is held by Lizzie, 
an old maid, in the household of the newspaper owner. Lizzie 
refuses to give up. It is discovered, however, that she has stolen 
the ticket. With this clue, the reporter threatens her with arrest. 
Of course the coupon is surrendered and Wright gets the girl of 
his choice. Produced at the Bijou Theater, NeAV York, with 
great success. (Royalty, twenty-five dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 



SAMUEL FRENCH, 25 West 45th Street, New York City 
New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Bequest 



NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH 

Comedy in 3 acts. By James Montgomery. 5 males, 
6 females. Modern costumes. 2 interiors. Plays 2l^ hours. 

Is it possible to tell the absolute truth — even for twenty-four 
hours? It is — at least Bob Bennett, the hero of "Nothing but 
the Truth," accomplished the feat. The bet he made with his 
partners, his friends, and his fiancee — these are the incidents in 
William Collier's tremendous comedy hit. "Nothing but the 
Truth" can be whole-heartedly recommended as one of the most 
sprightly, amusing and popular comedies of which this country 
can boast. (Royalty, twenty-five dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 

SEVENTEEN 

A comedy of youth, in 4 acts. By Booth Tarkington. 
8 males, 6 females. 1 exterior, 2 interior scenes. Costumes, 
modern. Plays 2^2 hours. 

It is the tragedy of William Sylvanus Baxter that he has ceased 
to be sixteen and is not yet eighteen. Baby, child, boy, youth 
and grown-up are definite phenomena. The world knows them and 
has learned to put up with them. Seventeen is not an age, it is a 
disease. In its turbulent bosom the leavings of a boy are at war 
Avith the beginnings of a man. 

In his heart, William Sylvanus Baxter knows all the tortures 
and delights of love ; he is capable of any of the heroisms of his 
heroic sex. But he is still sent on the most humiliating errands 
by his mother, and depends upon his father for the last nickel 
of spending money. 

Silly Bill fell in love with Lolo, the Baby-Talk Lady, a vapid 
if amiable little flirt. To woo her in a manner worthy of himself 
(and incidentally of her) he stole his father's evening clothes. 
When his wooings became a nuisance to the neighborhood, his 
mother stole the clothes back, and had them altered to fit the 
middle-aged form of her husband, thereby keeping William at 
home in the evening. 

But when it came to the Baby-Talk Lady's good-bye dance, not 
to be present was unendurable. How William Sylvanus again 
got the dress suit, and how as he was wearing it at the party the 
negro servant, Genesis, disclosed the fact that the proud garment 
was in reality his father's, are some of the elements in this 
charming comedy of youth. 

"Seventeen" is a story of youth, love and summer time. It is 
a work of exquisite human sympathy and delicious humor. Pro- 
duced by Stuart Walker at the Booth Theatre, New York, it en- 
joyed a run of four years in New York and on the road. Strongly 
recommended for High School production. (Royalty, twenty-five 
dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 

SAMUEL FRENCH, 25 West 45tli Street, New York City 
New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Beqiuest 



TWEEDLES 



Comedy in 3 acts, by Booth Tarkington and Harry Leon 
Wilson. 5 males, 4 females. 1 interior. Costumes, modern. 
Plays 214 hours. 

Julian, scion of the blue-blooded Castleburys, falls in love with 
Winsora Tweedle, daughter of the oldest family in a Maine village. 
The Tweedles esteem the name because it has been rooted in 
the community for 200 years, and they look down on "summer 
people" Avith the vigor that only "summer boarder" communities 
know. 

The Castleburys are aghast at the possibility of a match, and 
call on the Tweedles to urge how impossible such an alliance would 
be. Mr. Castlebury laboriously explains the barrier of social 
caste, and the elder Tweedle takes it that these unimportant 
summer folk are terrified at the social eminence of the Tweedles. 

Tweedle generously agrees to co-operate with the Castleburys 
to prevent the match. But Winsora brings her father to realize 
that in reality the Castleburys look upon them as inferiors. The 
old man is infuriated, and threatens vengeance, but is checkmated 
when Julian unearths a number of family skeletons and argues 
that father isn't a Tweedle, since the blood has been so diluted 
that little remains. Also, "Winsora takes the matter into her own. 
hands and outfaces the old man. So the youngsters go forth 
triumphant. "Tweedles" is Booth Tarkington at his best. 
(Rojalty, twenty-five dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 



JUST SUPPOSE 

A whimsical comedy in 3 acts, by A. E. Thomas, author 
of **Her Husband's Wife," *<Come Out of the Kitchen, '^ 
etc. 6 males, 2 females. 1 interior, 1 exterior. Costumes, 
modern. Plays 214 hours. 

It was rumored that during his last visit the Prince of Wales 
appeared for a brief spell under an assumed name somewhere in. 
"Virginia. It is on this story that A. E. Thomas based "Just 
Suppose." The theme is handled in an original manner. Linda 
Lee Stafford meets one George Shipley (in reality is the Prince 
of Wales). It is a case of love at first sight, but, alas, princes 
cannot select their mates and thereby hangs a tale which Mr. 
Thomas has woven with infinite charm. The atmosphere of the 
South with its chivalry dominates the story, touching in its 
sentiment and lightened here and there with delightful comedy, 
"Just Suppose" scored a big hit at the Henry Miller Theatre, 
New York, with Patricia Collinge. (Royalty, twenty-five dollars.) 

Price, 75 Cents. 

SAMUEL FRENCH, 25 West 45th Street, New York City 
New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Bequest) 



COME OUT OF THE KITCHEN 

A charming comedy in 3 acts. Adapted by A. E. Thomas 
from the story of the same name by Alice Duer Miller. 
6 males, 5 females. 3 interior scenes. Costumes, modern. 
Plays 2% hours. 

The story of "Come Out of the Kitchen" is written around a 
Virginia family of the old aristocracy, by the name of Dainger- 
field, who, finding themselves temporarily embarrassed, decide to 
rent their magnificent home to a rich Yankee. One of the con- 
ditions of the lease by the well-to-do New Englander stipulates 
that a competent staff of white servants should be engaged for 
his sojourn at the stately home. This servant question presents 
practically insurmountable difficulties, and one of the daughters 
of the family conceives the mad-cap idea that she, her sister and 
their two brothers shall act as the domestic staff for the wealthy 
Yankee. Olivia Daingerfield, who is the ringleader in the merry 
scheme, adopts the cognomen of Jane Allen, and elects to preside 
over the destinies of the kitchen. Her sister, Elizabeth, is ap- 
pointed housemaid. Her elder brother, Paul, is the butler, and 
Charley, the youngest of the group, is appointed to the position of 
bootboy. When Burton Crane arrives from the North, accom- 
panied by Mrs. Faulkner, her daughter, and Crane's attorney, 
Tucker, they find the staff of servants to possess so many methods 
of behavior out of the ordinary that amusing complications begin 
to arise immediately. Olivia's charm and beauty impress Crane 
above everything else, and the merry story continues through a 
maze of delightful incidents until the real identity of the heroine 
is finally disclosed. But not until Crane has professed his love 
for his charming cook, and the play ends with the brightest 
prospects of happiness for these two young people. "Come Out 
of the Kitchen," with Ruth Chatterton in the leading role, made 
a notable success on its production by Henry Miller at the Cohan 
Theatre, New York. It was also a great success at the Strand 
Theatre, London. A most ingenious and entertaining comedy, 
and we strongly recommend it for amateur production. (Royalty, 
twenty-five dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 



GOING SOME 

Play in 4 acts. By Paul Armstrong and Rex Beach. 
12 males, 4 females. 2 exteriors, 1 interior. Costumes, 
modern and cowboy. Plays a full evening. 

Described by the authors as the "chronicle of a certain lot of 
college men and girls, with a tragic strain of phonogi'aph and 
cowboys." A rollicking good story, full of action, atmosphere, 
comedy and drama, redolent of the adventurous spirit of youth. 
(Royalty, twenty-five dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 

SAMUEL FRENCH, 25 West 45th Street, New York City 
Ke-w and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Requesfc 



MRS. WIGGS OF THE 
CABBAGE PATCH 

Dramatization in 3 acts, by Anne Crawford Flexner from 
the novel by Alice Hegan Eice. 15 males, 11 females. 

1 interior, 1 exterior. Costumes modern and rustic. Plays 
a full evening. 

A capital dramatization of the ever-beloved Mrs. Wiggs and 
"her friends, people who have entered the hearts and minds of a 
nation. Mrs. Schultz and Lovey Mary, the pessimistic Miss Hazy 
and the others need no new introduction. Here is characteriza- 
tion, humor, pathos, and what is best and most appealing in 
modern American life. The amateur acting rights are reserved 
for the present in all cities and towns where there are stock 
companies. Royalty will be quoted on application for those cities 
and towns where it may be presented by amateurs. 

Price, 75 Cents. 

THE FOUR-FLUSHER 

Comedy in 3 acts. By Cassar Dunn. 8 males, 5 females. 

2 interiors. Modern costumes. Plays 2^/4 hours, 

A comedy of hustling American youth, "The Four-Flusher" is 
one of those clean and bright plays which reveal the most appeal- 
ing characteristics of our native types. Here is an amusing story 
of a young shoe clerk who through cleverness, personality, and 
plenty of wholesome faith in himself, becomes a millionaire. The 
play is best described as "breezy." It is full of human touches, 
and develops a most interesting story. It may be whole-heartedly 
recommended to high schools. (Royalty, twenty-five dollars.) 

Price, 75 Cents. 

PALS FIRST 

Comedy in a prologue and 3 acts. By Lee Wilson Dodd. 
8 males, 3 females. 1 interior, 1 exterior. Modern cos- 
tumes. Plays 2% hours. 

Based on the successful novel of the same name by F. P. 
Elliott, "Pals First" is a decidedly picturesque mystery play. 
Danny and the Dominie, a pair of tramps, enter a mansion and 
persuade the servants and friends that they belong there. They 
are not altogether wrong, though it requires the intervention of 
a judge, two detectives, a villain and an attractive girl to un- 
tangle the complications. A most ingenious play, well adapted 
to performance by high schools and colleges. (Royalty, twentj- 
five dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 

SAMUEL FRENCH, 25 West 45tli Street, New York City 
Kew and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Beqaest 



DADDY LONG-LEGS 

A charming comedy in 4 acts. By Jean Webster. The 
full cast calls for 6 males, 7 females and 6 orphans, but 
the play, by the easy doubling of some of the characters, 
may be played by 4 males, 4 females and 3 orphans. 
The orphans appear only in the first act and may be played 
by small girls of any age. Four easy interior scenes. 
Costumes modern. Plays 2^t hours. 

Many readers of current fiction will recall Jean Webster's 
"Daddy Long-Legs." Miss Webster dramatized her story and it 
was presented at the Gaiety Theatre in New York, under Henry 
Miller's direction, with Ruth Chatterton in the principal r61e. 
"Daddy Long-Legs" tells the story of Judy, a pretty little 
drudge in a bleak New England orphanage. One day, a visiting 
trustee becomes interested in Judy and decides to give her a 
chance. She does not know the name of her benefactor, but 
simply calls him Daddy Long-Legs, and writes him letters brim- 
ming over with fun and affection. From the Foundling's Home 
she goes to a fashionable college for girls and there develops the 
romance that constitutes much of the play's charm. The New 
York Times reviewer, on the morning after the Broadway pro- 
duction, wrote the following: "If you will take your pencil and 
write down, one below the other, the words delightful, charming, 
eweet, beautiful and entertaining, and then draw a line and add 
them up, the answer will be 'Daddy Long-Legs.' To that result 
you might even add brilliant, pathetic and humorous, but the 
unswer even then would be just what it was before — the play 
which Miss Jean Webster has made from her book, 'Daddy Long- 
Legs,' and which was presented at the Gaiety last night. To 
attempt to describe the simplicity and beauty of 'Daddy Long- 
Legs' would be like attempting to describe the first breath of 
Spring after an exceedingly tiresome and hard Winter," "Daddy 
Long-Legs" enjoyed a tA'O-years' run in New York, and was then 
toured for over three years. It is now published in play form for 
the first time. (Royalty, twenty-five dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 

THE FAMOUS MRS. FAIR 

A comedy in 4 acts. By James Forbes. 3 males, 10 
females. 2 interiors. Modern costumes. Plays a full 
evening. 

An absorbing play of modern American family life. "The 
Famous Mrs. Fair" is concerned with a strenuous lady who 
returns from overseas to lecture, and consequently neglects her 
daughter, who is just saved in time from disaster. Acted with 
great success by Blanche Bates and Henry Miller. (Royalty, 
twenty-five dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 

SAMUEL FRENCH, 25 West 45tli Street, New York City 
New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue IVIailed Free on Bequest 



MRS PARTRIDGE PRESENT!) 

-Comedy id 3 acts By Mary Kennedy and Rutb Baw- 
iliorna 6 males, 6 femaleSo Modern costumes. 2 interior^; 

Flays 2y2 heirs 

The characters, scenes and situations are thoroughly ap-«e 
liatte in this altogether delightful American comedy. The beroim:- 
te » woman of tremendous energy, who manages a business— ftt: 
Olfee manages everything — with great success^ and at home prig 
Oides over the destinies of a growing son and daughter. Ho 
O^ffuggle to give the children the opportunities she herself hat 
)lsiBsed, and the children's ultimate revolt against her well-meaE ■ 
Jfianagemept — that is the basis of the plot. The son who is cag ■ 
2&i the part of artist and the daughter who is to go on the stag' 
sffer numerous opportunities for the development of the joms 
)3xsiBsibilities in the theme 

The play is one of the most delightful, yet thought-provoking 
4\jnerican comedies of recent years, and is warmly recommendei: 
9® all amateur groups. (Royalty on application.) Price^ 75 CeDtss 



IN THE NEXT ROOM 

Melodrama in 3 acts. By Eleanor Robson and Harrier 
Wmd, 8 males, 3 females. 2 interiorsc Modern costumes; 
IPlays 2^4 hours. 

"Philip Vantine has bought a rare copy of an original Bomii 
satinet and ordered it shipped to his New York home from Pari& 
-J^toen it arrives it is found to be the original itself, the p©& 
osssion of which is desired by many strange people. Before tfc^ 
iuiyBterj concerned with the cabinet's shipment can be clear©! 
Wt two persons meet mysterious death fooling with it and tfe^; 
Laippiness of many otherwise happy actors is threatened" (Burtii. 
iilftmtle). A first-rate mystery play, comprising all the elements 
^jS suspense, curiosity, comedj/ and drama. "In the Next Room' 
ao iimte easy to stage It can be unreservedly recommended ^u 
Ms^ ^choolf «nd collegjSj (Royalty.; twenty-five dollars/' 



SAMUHL FBEKOBv 20 W«Bt 45tb Street^ Vvm TorJfc 
mm Mw Amv-^oMtt ^(MOacm Mai Iwa m m«m«I. 



COME OUT OF THE KITCHEN 

A charming comedy in 3 acts. Adapted by A. E. Thomas 
from the story of the same name by Alice Duer Miller. 
6 males, 5 females. 3 interior scenes. Costumes^ modern. 
Plays 2% hours:, . ) 

The story of "Come Out of the Kitchen" is written around » 
Virginia family of the old aristocracy, by the name of Dainger* 
field, who, finding themselves temporarily embarrassed, decide to 
Tent their magnificent home to a rich Yankee. One of the con- 
ditions of the lease by the well-to-do New Englander stipulates 
that a competent staff of white servants should be engaged for 
his sojourn at the stately home. This servant question presents 
practically insurmountable difficulties, and one of the daughters 
of the family conceives the mad-cap idea that she, her sister and 
their two brothers shall act as the domestic staff for the wealthy 
Yankee. Olivia Daingerfield, who is the ringleader in the merry 
Bcheme, adopts the cognomen of Jane Allen, and elects to preside 
over the destinies of the kitchen. Her sister, Elizabeth, is ap- 
pointed housemaid. Her elder brother, Paul, is the butler, and 
Charley, the yonngest of the group, is appointed to the position ol 
"bootboy. When Burton Crane arrives from the North, accom- 
panied by Mrs. Faulkner, her daughter, and Crane's attorney. 
Tucker, they find the staff of servants to possess so many methods 
of behavior out of the ordinary that amusing complications begin 
to arise immediately. Olivia's charm and beauty impress Crane 
abovf everything else, and the merry story continues through a 
maze of delightful incidents until the real identity of the heroine 
Is finally disclosed. But not until Crane has professed his love 
for his charming cook, and the play ends with the brightest 
prospects of happiness for these two young people. "Come Out 
of the Kitchen," with Ruth Chatterton in the leading role, made 
a notable success on its production by Henry Miller at the Cohaa 
Theatre, New York. It was also a ^reat success at the Strand 
Theatre, London. A most ingenious and entertaining comedy, 
and we strongly recommend it for amateur production. (Royalty, 
iwenty-five dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 



GOING SOME 

Hay in 4 acts. By Paul Armstrong and Rex Beach. 
12 males, 4 females. 2 exteriors, 1 interior. Costumes, 
modern and cowboy. Plays a full evening. 

Described by the authors as the "chronicle of a certain lot of 
college men and girls, with a tragic strain of phonograph and 
cowboys." A rollicking good story, full of action, atmosphere, 
comedy and drama, redolent of the adventurous spirit of youth. 
(Royalty, twenty-five dollars.) Price, 75 Cents. 

f SAMUEL FBENCH. 25 West 45th Street. Ne\» York Cltf 
0«T aew deserlpMTe Mi*ml*ff«a seat free •■ rca««*«. 



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